Post-Read

POST-IMPERIAL 

Negroland by Margo Jefferson
Tomi Talabi, Marketing Director

“As an African foreigner, I have an open-ended interest in learning about Black American history. Negroland is such a fascinating insight into the concept of being Black and Privileged in America.”

 

Wild Seed by Octavia Butler
Niyi Okuboyejo, Creative Director

“I am currently in a space where I am looking at alternative works from people within the African diaspora. Octavia is obviously a member of that space, and she pushes me to see the world from many different angles. “

 

Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo 
Kadie Afrik, Director of Operations

“It's a story about womanhood, love and loss. Mixed with unbelievable betrayal.”

 

Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan & Calcilda Jetha
Herman Solomon, Director of Sales

“I choose this book because it is the only book I ever read that totalling changed my perspective after reading it. I truly believe everybody should read it at least once.”

 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Ray Chang, Brand Design Director

“I'm always partial to stories that discuss Asian American identity and experiences told through food and memories. Plus, Michelle Zauner's band, Japanese Breakfast is one of my recent favorites.”

 

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Ael Pagny, Creative Assistant
“I chose it because my dad recommended it to me and I trust his recommendations :)”

 

I Almost Forgot about You by Terry McMillian 
Nicholette Sykes, Operations Assistant

“I choose this book because I feel like it reflects many of us on how hard but impactful facing our fears can be.”

 

Aftershocks: A Memoir by Nadia Owusu
Stephen, Production Manager

“It is a book about self-discovery.”

 

The Issachar Mandate by Obii Pax Harry
Tokunbo Okuboyejo, Connector

“It gives me more insight on how to live a victorious life, opening my eyes to have discernment of spirit and understanding the times and seasons.”

 

CREATIVE PROCESS

 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 
Malachi Gomis, Model and Multimedia Artist

“Because I feel like the boy in the book; I feel like an alchemist 🤘🏿”

With Eager Hands, The Life of Elizabeth Coleman White by Albertine Senske
Becky Vanderway, Stylist

“This summer I found myself picking a variety of unique and flavorful blueberries from the field where the first commercially cultivated blueberries were created. Naturally I wanted to know more about the woman who made it all happen.”

Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami 
Zoran Jelenic, Photographer

“Fairness is a concept that holds only in limited situations. Yet we want the concept to extend to everything, in and out of phase. From snails to hardware stores to married life. Maybe no one finds it, or even misses it, but fairness is like love. What is given has nothing to do with what we seek.”

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Randy Ng, Photographer

“It's a book I read again and again whenever my mind gets too loud.”

At Home by Bill Bryson
Keith Tallion, Storyteller

“Bryson exactingly dissects the stories behind everyday objects and concepts having to do with the modern home. As in, why do we keep salt & pepper on the table? This book changed the way I look at the everyday world around me.”

Common as Air: Revolution, Art, and Ownership by Lewis Hyde
Yegwa Ukpo, Storyteller

“I first heard about Lewis Hyde because of a talk he gave on the art of the trickster at the Schumacher College. When I found out he also wrote about the commons - which is one of the integral concepts informing my practice and something I believe is incredibly important for society in the 21st century, I just had to pick it up.””

The Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born by Ayi Kwe-Armah
Papa Omotayo, Storyteller

“It just amazing how relevant us still feels. To this moment we are in right now, new generation with a mistrust of the existing systems and hierarchy. Plus it's was just so ahead of its time re the narrative and writing style.”

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Shaunequa Brathwaite, Copywriter

“The term feminist—with its problematic historical complexities—can be quite polarizing, but since a teen I’ve identified as a feminist: a (really, really) bad one. #BaddieFemmie”

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Phoenix of Art and Motherhood by Binta 77
Emmanuel Ogundele, Dye Artisan Apprentice

“I was able to read the book because she is the wife of the late chief Osuntoki Taiwo Olaniyi (Twins Seven-Seven). She personally invited me to the launching ceremony of the book. The book is all about documenting the moment of her life and work as an artist for over seven decades.”

Here for it: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America; Essays by Eric R. Thomas
Jessica Ramsey, Production Assistant

“I am mouthy, and I get easily annoyed, and I don't know how to shoot a bow and arrow, so dystopias are a solid no from me. I'm basically Peeta from The Hunger Games, except gay. I am here for the baked goods and then basically I'm going to be dead weight. Cut your losses.”

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Maria Abdelmoumen, Production Assistant

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”